Emergency Room again

[Taysgrama]

OK - finally could not stand it anymore and decided to go to the ER today. I started those medications (atenolol and cardizem) on Wednesday evening and ever since my heart has felt like it was in my throat and beating ninety miles an hour. Well, it turns out that my heart rate as actually dropped down to between 39-45 bpm and my blood pressure dropped as low as 72/44 while I was there. They wanted me to stay overnight so they could monitor my blood pressure and heart rate, but since they were not giving me anything to raise it, I really could not justify the money to stay the night. They told me to stop both the medications and call my cardio in the next couple of days. I am pretty much a basket case and really have no clue how to handle this. My heart really feels like it is beating way too fast and hard, but according to the monitor, it is beating really slow. When I left the ER, my BP was up to 85/60 or so and my HR was about 49bpm.

Does anyone have any ideas? I am pretty much at my wits end here. Thanks....

 

[Nancy]

I would bet you are going to have to get an event monitor and wear it for a month or so to try to capture whatever is going on.

Definitely call your cardiologist again. I know you feel like he/she is not paying good attention to your problem. So the best course of action is to make sure they do by calling when things are bothering you, each and every time.

I don't think any doctor wants to be accused of not paying attention to a patient when they have a complaint, too many legalities there.

If it does turn out to be something they should have taken care of, they will become liable.

So you must be the squeaky wheel.

And if you can, bring another person with you to hear what is being said or not said to you during the examination.

 

[Eva]

Diana,

I hope the solution will be as simple as just adjusting the dose of your medication. After a while on a Beta blocker and lisinopril when mh BP went way down, my cardio stopped the Lisinopril (BP medicine) and I used to eat a pickle or cheese to help elevate my BP when it dropped low and it helped until I wa able to contact my doctor again.

Keep us posted.

 

[Taysgrama]

I really do wish it was that easy. I have been the squeaky wheel since these PVC's and PAC's started on October. Been to 2 different EP doctors as well as the ER and my cardio more times than I can count. Just like today, while I was in the ER, the doctor called my cardio and he pretty much flipped a coin (the ER doc told me that) and said he would leave the decision about whether to keep me or not up to the ER doctor. I guess having a heart rate of 39 is ok in his book.

Since I got home a couple hours ago, the feeling has not really gone away, but I am not sure how long it will take for the medication to get out of my system. I do know that I will not take those pills again because I really do not like the feeling they give me. Thanks all!

 

[bookjp]

I really do wish it was that easy. I have been the squeaky wheel since these PVC's and PAC's started on October. Been to 2 different EP doctors as well as the ER and my cardio more times than I can count. Just like today, while I was in the ER, the doctor called my cardio and he pretty much flipped a coin (the ER doc told me that) and said he would leave the decision about whether to keep me or not up to the ER doctor. I guess having a heart rate of 39 is ok in his book.

Since I got home a couple hours ago, the feeling has not really gone away, but I am not sure how long it will take for the medication to get out of my system. I do know that I will not take those pills again because I really do not like the feeling they give me. Thanks all!

Diana my surgeon prescribed atenolol for me.I only took two pills on fri and sat. and couldn't take it anymore.It made me extremly light headed and legs felt like rubber.A nurse I know suggested trying a half of pill and take it just before I go to bed instead of in the morning and I haven't had any problems with it since!

 

[Bina]

It does sound like a med problem.
My first year post op I would think that my BP and HR were high because of pounding, then when I would check, they were actually too low. Good thing I was checking before taking more meds. I still take a low dose of Metoprolol split into 3 times daily.
Hang in there.